We go to Yellowstone every summer. Just like putting on our shoes we put on "Bear Bells" nothing but a large Jingle bell on a lanyard. We tie it to our belts so thet the bells hit our legs on every step. Bears in Yellowstone avoid people if they are aware of their presence, there fore the bells. They can be heard over 500 yards. Almost all bear attacks/encounters happen when the bear is surprised, and feels threatened.

I suppose that the bears in the smokies react like the Yellowstone bears.